Benefits of Strength training

People with arthritis have found that strength training can reduce pain and improve strength and function, without worsening the arthritis. Knee arthritis patients who participated in a strength-training program three times per week reported significant gains in strength and in functions such as walking. They also found that simple tasks like putting on their socks were easier (Baker et al. 2001).

Strengthening exercises increase circulation to the exercising muscles and build lean muscle mass (thereby raising your metabolism). They can also extend the range of motion in some joints (Hurley and Hagberg 1998). Stronger muscles may absorb stress that is otherwise transmitted to the joint. Weakness in the lower extremities precedes and contributes to the pain and loss of function characteristic of arthritis (Wrightson and Malanga 2001). Finally, muscular strength is crucial if you are considering a joint replacement, since inadequate strength can slow down your recovery. I have worked with many patients who had to go to a rehabilitation facility after knee surgery because they were unable to get out of a chair without help; the other leg was too weak.